Saratoga News Photograph by George Sakkestad Drivers who turn right on a red getting on to Highway 85 between 4 and 7 p.m are targets for ticketing. These unfortunate drivers were caught around 5 p.m. on Dec. 16. Timing is everything at intersection By Michelle Alaimo Those wishing to turn right on a red light from Saratoga Avenue to northbound Hwy. 85 had better check the time first. Signs posted at the intersection prohibit right turns on a red light between 4 and 7 p.m. Yet drivers continue to turn--even when there is no room on the on-ramp for them. This leads to backups, frustration and gridlock at the intersection. And the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department Westside substation is cracking down. Lt. Cary Colla said the intersection starts getting heavily congested around 4 p.m., and the congestion lasts for a few hours. "The gridlock is very sporadic," Deputy F.W. Zanker with the Westside substation said. To help ease congestion and catch those who are not obeying the law, the Sheriff's Department has assigned several traffic officers to help the flow along. Just two weeks ago, deputies gave 40 citations in a two-hour period. Zanker said most of the citations were for turning against the red light. Tickets were also given for turning right from the wrong lane, running a red light and creating gridlock by blocking the intersection. The gridlock law basically states that motorists can't enter the intersection unless there is space for the driver on the other side, sheriff officials said. "Only so many vehicles can enter the on-ramp," Colla said. Once drivers violate the law and pull onto the on-ramp, it's easy for deputies to pull them over, Zanker said. All the deputy has to do is walk up to the car and tell the driver to pull over to the shoulder. The deputy then explains what was done wrong and issues a citation. Zanker said many drivers say, "Oh, I didn't see the sign." He added that some of the motorists are surprised to see him, but they do not get angry and usually accept the ticket gracefully. However, Colla said gridlock isn't the only thing that deputies hope to cut down on. They also hope to decrease the accident rate. So far this year, there have been 20 accidents at the intersection, Colla said. Most result in damage to the cars and some injuries. "People get edgy to make that light," Zanker said. And when this happens, sometimes they run the light or come through the intersection at high speed to make the light and an accident occurs, Zanker said. [ Back to Contents Page | Saratoga News Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Saratoga News, December 23, 1998. ©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.